A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Athens vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Athens or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Bali. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Athens

Athens is a historic, ancient, and vibrant city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Athens and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Athens or Bali?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Athens than Bali, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Athens is more popular for its museums, historical sights, and big city activities, while Bali is known for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Athens and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Athens is popular for its ancient temples and landmarks as well as its influence as the birthplace of democracy. It is also home to The Acropolis.

The Acropolis

How is Athens different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bali and Athens. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Athens or Bali?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Athens are among the most recognizable in the world. As a historical capital of the world, this city has countless museums and archeological sites including the famous Acropolis, the National Archaeology Museum, and the Ancient Agora.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Athens or Bali? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Dining out at restaurants in both Athens and Bali can be an enjoyable experience.

Eat your way through Athens, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. Make sure you try the souvlaki, moussaka, and dolmades at any of the many local restaurants throughout the city.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

Is Athens or Bali Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is first-rate in both Athens and Bali.

The nightlife in Athens is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. There are all-night dance clubs as well as local bars and chill live music venues.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Athens is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Bali for its luxury resorts. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Athens is not a resort destination.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

Athens is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Athens is not a beach destination.

Bali offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

Athens is not a beach destination.

Is Athens or Bali Better for its Old Town?

Athens is a must-visit destination for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

The rich history of Athens can be explored in its historical center. The city's "historic triangle" is between Syntagma, Omonia, and Monastiraki Squares. This area is also at the political and financial heart of the city.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is great for hiking. However, Athens is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Athens is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Athens or Bali?

Bali is great for its shopping areas. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Bali. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Athens is a great destination for shopping. Most neighborhoods have a shopping street but head to Ermou Street for some of the city's best shopping.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Families?

Both Athens and Bali are high quality family-friendly destinations.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Athens. With its rich history, beautiful outdoor activities, and kid-friendly food, Athens is a fun place to explore with the whole family.

Bali is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Athens is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Bali is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Athens is a nice destination for couples. The city is historical, fascinating, and romantic, making it a beautiful place to explore as a couple.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Athens and Bali are first-rate places to visit.

A large number of backpackers visit Athens, as it is a very popular city for budget travelers. The city has long been established as a backpackers destination with budget friendly food and plenty of hostels around town.

Bali is a mecca for backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Students?

Athens is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Athens is very popular with students. International students will appreciate the rich history, archaeological ruins, and unique opportunities that are available here.

Bali is not popular with students.

Is Athens or Bali Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Athens is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Athens can get you to some places easily. The city's metro system has 3 lines that connect to bus, tram and commuter rail lines.

Bali has some public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Is Athens or Bali a more walkable city?

Athens is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Athens is a very walkable city. You'll find the city's most walkable area's in the historical heart, where there are many pedestrian only streets and shopping areas.

Bali is generally not a very walkable city. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Athens Worth Visiting? and Is Bali Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bali or Athens?

How long in Athens or Bali?

Both Athens and Bali have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, Bali has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bali than Athens. In general, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Athens, and 5-7 days is enough time in Bali.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Athens. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Athens than Bali if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Athens.

One day in Athens or Bali?

Athens is a big city destination where you can fill many days. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Athens or Bali?

Athens is a fun place to experience. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Bali is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Athens or Bali?

Athens is a vibrant big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Athens or Bali?

Athens is a energetic city where you can fill many days. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Bali. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Bali, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Athens is in Europe and Bali is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Athens or Bali?

Athens has a larger population, and is about 80% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Bali, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Athens or Bali?

Athens has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Athens or Bali in the Summer?

Both Bali and Athens during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Athens for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

In July, Athens is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Athens. In the summer, Athens often gets more sunshine than Bali. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in July than Bali. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Should I visit Athens or Bali in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Bali. Many visitors come to Athens in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Athens is cooler than Bali in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives less sunshine than Bali during autumn. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Athens usually receives less rain than Bali. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Athens or Bali in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Athens as well as Bali. Most visitors come to Athens for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

In the winter, Athens is much colder than Bali. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Bali averages at about 26°C (79°F).

In the winter, Athens often gets less sunshine than Bali. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun.

Athens usually gets less rain in January than Bali. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Athens or Bali in the Spring?

Both Bali and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Athens because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Athens is generally much colder than Bali. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Bali. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bali during spring. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Athens usually receives less rain than Bali. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for Bali and Athens